Aboattime

Welcome to the forum,we own an Alpha 32,but now need a bigger one cos of the grand kids.

Hi John, its opposite Kens on the other side of the road,good fish and chips.By the way Richardsons are sorting that dink out for me. Regards Kevin

The Wroxham Hotel,great food,give it a go.

Yes, first time went to Dilham,great mooring and pub.

Just thought i would share a few things that we have come across on our last two cruises 1 Whilst moored at Neatishead a group of young lads urinating by the rubbish bins , parked cars,information board, at breakfast time, all in full view of the moored boats.All from a number of moored sailing cruisers. 2 We were moored at Sutton one evening, and returned to find that our mooring lines had been undone,boat moved, so a hire cruiser could moor in the newly created gap. {gap was still not big enough as our bow was over hanging and hitting there stern.} 3 Moored at Ludham bridge last Saturday, , one large hire cruiser decided to turn for the water point,where boats are moored on both sides of the river, it hit a moored cruiser 4 times before it completed the turn.. Both cruisers from the same yard.A few moments later a small moored Weston cruiser was first hit on the bow by a day boat going fast.Luckily a ranger was at hand to do the paper work,but before he could finish, the Weston was hit on the stern by a hire cruiser.The ranger told the helmsman to moor up so he could take his details,he couldnt moor in the large gap, so ranger told him to go further up the river to moor in the next large mooring space and he would walk up as he needed a word with them.The cruiser went up stream,but never did moor for the ranger.

Yes were fishing at a depth of about 3 feet..

But when you get up there, be prepared as there are 2 electricity posts = 6 points, moorings for only 3 boats,maybe 4 if small.???

Could not agree more,that being the case, is this not the reason for the huge gin palaces on hire, with huge costs to hire?As boat owners we just love cruising the broads,and are there fore willing to accept the limitations of our boats because to us its just part of the broads experience.As ive been boating for many ,many years, my expectations of boats is probably different to new boaters.

Hi Trev, on our Alpha 32, the stern gland is under our inspection cover in our saloon.A few years ago our was dripping,and we had it replaced where we are moored at Sabena in Wroxham.,it was a small job and the bill was small. Try giving Alan a call on 01603 782552. Good luck

Hi Roy, thanks for your PM,yes i did know about the bridge gauge,Our Alpha 32 never has a problem getting under, its was one of the reasons we bought her,as the run up to Cottishal is one of our favourites.I could never see the point of a boat that restricts where you can cruise,and i must admit that some of the new gin palaces leave me cold, far to big,wont go under this or that bridge,and some dont even look like boats to me.! Maybe its an age thing,but each to there own. Regards Kevin

I dont mind losing, its when they dont seem to TRY,that gets my goat.

webntweb great detective work! Yes it is that boat,our present boat has an air draft of 6ft 4 in,i wanted to know if it was ok for Wroxham bridge,sounds as if it is.With 2 grand kids we now need a bigger boat, she certainly has the space,just have to see how things pan out.Thanks for the info. Regards Kevin

Ok thank you

Any body know what the air draft is when the screens are folded ?

Good luck, if we lived nearer, i would have liked to help.

Our Alpha 32 has air draft of 6ft 4in,with every thing down. The bridge pilot at Potter has told me he can get the boat under the bridge at suitable tides.

Have a great time,we live in Northfleet,so hope the Dartford Tunnel was kind to you ?

So Graham are you and Barbara tempted ? Regards Kevin

Yes what a great Easter weekend great weather we had a wonderful time cruising between Horning and Cottishall.Wish the weather was this good every time we took the boat out .

Thanks people you learn something new every day.

All the boats are in the water.

Never knew that, thought all boats had to have current toll.

So we have all paid this years Tolls,and had the receipt from the BA ?Well this is up for discussion, there is a very well known Broads boat sales company selling boats that do not have this years tolled paid.So are some of us shocked?Could it be the case that the BA are turning a blind eye to this?Would the private boat owner be treated the same and leave there boat in the marina without a toll ? Looking forward to what every body thinks.

Graham were back on the boat for Easter. the first day will be spent cleaning etc We have booked a mooring and table at the New Inn Easter Friday 19th, be good to see you for a beer and catch up if possible ? Ill be interested to know what you think of The Lion,we like it and our friends said it was there favourite of all the pubs that we visited[and we went to most of them !!] Best wishes Kevin

Totally agree, very well deserved. Graham have you been into the Lion since its been refurbished ? Regards Kevin